I would like to be able to use a "generic" part which has a BOM either as a stand-alone part or as a component on a BOM. Is there any way to do this so that the generic parts components show up on the parent WO instead of the generic part itself?
 
For instance:
 
Part G is a generic part made of parts P and L.
Part G is sometimes sold as a complete item.
Part A is made with the same components P and L.
I would like to just put Part G on Part A's BOM, and have parts P and L show up there.
 
I thought of using type B for the Generic, but you can't make WOs for those. Ditto for type K. I can't figure it out.  ???

In reading your repsonse I realized that, essentially, I'm using more than one part number for (almost) the same part. But I can't use simple PN cross-reference, because the parts have different specs.
 
I'm just trying to cut down on BOMs and routings. We make a lot of parts that are essentially the same. They have the same dimensions, the same BOM and the same routing.
 
I thought that if I could use a generic part that had the same BOM and routing and just put that generic part on the specific parts BOM it would make it simpler. However, we're not actually making the generic part as an assembly and putting it into the specific part as a unit. So I don't want a BOM with the generic part on it, I want the BOM for the specific part to look just like the generic one.
 
Boy, if you read through that and you're not shaking your head, congratulations!
 
I don't know if I made that clearer or muddier, but maybe it will help

Well, we have a situation where some of our PCBoards are basically the same board with the exception of either the addition of a 32pin DIP socket or a 32pin RAM socket. So instead of having 2 different PCBoard numbers, I just used one and made the addition of either of the 2 parts as a Finished Good part number. This way, I sort of have a BOM that I can use for anything. This board has a unique part number.
 
Does this help?

Well, I have one other suggestion. Create your "generic BOM" and leave it. Just because you create a BOM, doesn't mean you have to use it in production or sales. I am not sure, but maybe you can set it up as a Non-inventory? This way it wouldn't actually count against you. Either way, you can create the generic BOM and use it for Estimating. Then if it does turn to an order, then Copy the BOM into the actual part number you are selling. Then you are not having to recreate the wheel everytime.
 
Good luck and I hope this may make some sense.
 
Tommy